FAQs for journalists

From time to time we can offer one of our experts to deal with real reader problems. We can’t provide completely specific advice to an individual unless they visit a bureau, but we can offer general advice on what options are available to that person in their given situation.

We recognise the importance of getting a local spokesperson. There are hundreds of Citizens Advice Bureaux across the country and many have managers and advisers who are media trained and happy to talk to journalists. Contact us and we will put you in touch with your nearest one.

Yes, we can look for 'case studies' to give a human interest to your story, if it’s a subject of particular concern to us and our clients.If we are able to identify a client willing to be interviewed by you, we will usually expect a voice in the piece as well.You will need to tell us the sort of scenario you are interested in and it helps if you give us as much notice as possible as it can be quite a time consuming process. We will then contact relevant bureaux to see if they have had any clients that fit the bill. However, it is entirely up to the client to decide if they want to talk to you. We will not put you in touch with a client without their express permission – their welfare has to be our primary concern. They may agree to talk to you only on condition that they remain anonymous.Bear in mind that some types of case studies are more difficult to find than others - for example, many people are reluctant to talk about their debt problems or losing their home. Print journalists: if we are unable to put you in touch directly with a client, we may be able to provide anonymised real-life case studies on paper instead.

Unfortunately not. Contact one of us in the main national press office if you are looking for a regional view or spokesperson in the regions or in Wales.Contact details for the press teams in Citizens Advice Scotland and Citizens Advice Northern Ireland are on our contacts page.